Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.10.17
Sarga· CreationDevotional Service Turns Ignorance Into Knowledge
“The fifth creation is that of the controlling deities by the interaction of the mode of goodness, of which the mind is the sum total. The sixth creation is the ignorant darkness of the living entity, by which the master acts as a fool.”
What the purport teaches
- The fifth creation brings forth the controlling deities through the mode of goodness, with the mind as the sum total. These deities are devotees of Lord Viṣṇu and assist Him in managing material affairs.
- The sixth creation is the darkness of ignorance. Under its influence, living beings falsely claim ownership of material things and forget their relationship with the Supreme Lord.
- For devotees engaged in pure devotional service, the Lord’s bewildering energy becomes pure knowledge. Conditioned souls are not originally fools, but ignorance prevents them from using knowledge properly.
Try this today
Choose one thing you call “mine” and pause to remember the Lord rather than claiming independent ownership.
Ask yourself
Where is a feeling of ownership making me forget my relationship with the Supreme Lord?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.